Arts Council on the lookout for phenomenal artists. Nominations now open for the 2011 MARTY Awards. Words by Mississauga Arts Council
What do rock band ill Scarlett, star guitarist Rik Emmett and Jazz legend Oscar Peterson have in common? These superstar artists are from Mississauga and are all past winners of a distinguished MARTY Award.
If you haven’t heard of the MARTY Awards, listen up! Every year the Mississauga Arts Council produces the MARTY Awards to celebrate the best and brightest artists from our community. That’s right folks, the word’s out that the City of Mississauga is brimming with phenomenal artistic talent.
“To be recognized as an artist in this city has brought a degree of mainstream attention that a Science Fiction writer would not normally get.” – Robert J. Sawyer
The MARTYS stand as the pinnacle arts event in Mississauga complete with extensive media coverage and a red carpet kick-off. This year’s MARTY Award celebration will be held on May 13, 2011 with an evening filled with live performances, networking, schmoozing with the “who’s who” of the arts community and more! Think of the glam and excitement of the Oscars but for our very own community. The event is one cocktail reception and awards show you won’t want to miss.
Until March 2, 2011 the Mississauga Arts Council will be accepting nominations for the awards. Past MARTY Award recipients include the internationally celebrated rock band Billy Talent, science fiction writer Robert J. Sawyer, filmmaker Richie Mehta, violinist Suzanne Hou and many more.
Since winning a MARTY Award in 2003, Robert J. Sawyer’s career has continued to soar to new heights. The internationally celebrated writer has received widespread acclaim for his creative writing. Robert has had 19 novels published and has won over forty awards for his fiction including the Nebula Award, the Hugo Award and the John W. Campbell Memorial Award.
Robert explains, “To be recognized as an artist in this city has brought a degree of mainstream attention that a Science Fiction writer would not normally get.” He continues, “I’m very proud to have won a MARTY and I always look with great interest every year to see who the nominees are. I’ve been a resident of Mississauga for 10 years. It’s a wonderful place to be an artist. We have a vibrant arts community of our own…Mississauga is not just a shadow of Toronto.”
As Mississauga continues to develop a thriving arts scene of its own, so does the spotlight on the MARTY Awards. Every year, more and more artists submit nomination packages in hopes of winning the coveted award. Categories include Literary Arts, Media Arts, Performing Arts, Performing Arts Groups and Visual Arts. Each category honours an emerging artist and an established artist. Winners receive $1,000, press coverage and recognition at the event. The awards are open to the general public and nomination forms are now available online at www.mississaugaartcouncil.com.
Do you know a passionate arts volunteer or patron who has made a difference in your community? The Mississauga Arts Council is also accepting nomination for special MARTY Awards including the Volunteer of the Year Award and the Laurie Pallett Patron of the Arts Award. Be sure to take the time to nominate an individual who has made a difference by nurturing the arts in our city.
The Council is also thrilled to launch its new Creative Community Award. This progressive award is open to any other form of artistic expression including fibre arts, spinning and weaving, jewelry making, fashion arts etc. MAC is pleased to open the doors to these unique art forms that have not been traditionally recognized.
So don’t hesitate! Nominate yourself (with a letter of support) or a deserving artist today! It’s free, easy and you have nothing to lose. Nomination forms are available at www.mississaugaartscouncil.com. Please call 905-615-4278 for additional information.